Fountain Gate Secondary School cruised to the title in the girls’ competition at the CECAFA zonal finals held in February. The Tanzanian side defeated Awaro Senior Secondary from Ethiopia 3‑0 in the final, using their home‑ground advantage to secure a place at the continental event. Fountain Gate also swept the individual awards, underscoring their dominance: Zainabu Karuka was named Best Player, Allic Nechemia claimed the Golden Glove, and Winifrida Gerald finished as top scorer. The team hopes to replicate this performance on the continental stage in Durban.
The school enrolls 387 students, about 60 % of whom are girls, providing a relatively small pool of players compared with some rivals. Nevertheless, women’s football in Tanzania has been strong for years, and the country is renowned for producing young talent. The team is coached by Aristides Ngowi, who holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education, a CAF C License, and a reputation as a successful tactician. Ngowi guided an under‑15 girls’ side to three consecutive East African Chipukizi Cup titles (2020‑2022) and led an under‑20 team to the same trophy last year. He was also at the helm when Fountain Gate won both the national CAF African Schools Football Championship qualifiers and the CECAFA zonal competition, earning their spot in the continental final.
“It has been good to compete in the CAF African Schools Football Championship; we are learning new things about modern football and gaining experience in international games, for both coaches and players,” Ngowi said. “We have had quality training time and the girls are ready for the continental competition in Durban. We cannot wait.” He added that participation in the championship has boosted interest among girls at the school, increasing training attendance and attracting players who previously had no interest in football.
Royal Giant High School in Mityana, Uganda, has lived up to its name with consistent success in the CAF African Schools Football Championship zonal qualifier in Tanzania and in domestic competitions. The school has reached the national finals for the past four years, building a culture of success that now extends to the international arena. Royal Giant secured a place in the CAF African Schools Football Championship final in Durban by defeating Ethiopia’s Geda Roble Secondary School 4‑2 on penalties after a goalless draw in the zonal decider. The hard‑fought victory should have battle‑hardened the side for the challenges ahead.
The under‑15 team is coached by Frank Mulindwa, a CAF C License holder who previously coached at top schools such as Bujuuko High School and King Solomon High School before joining Royal Giant. Mulindwa expressed delight that his players will showcase their quality on the international stage, noting that the zonal qualifiers provided a valuable learning curve. “The level of organisation and competition was very high,” he said. “We are happy for the young boys to display their talents not only nationally but also continentally, and we learned much from the off‑pitch workshops during the qualifiers.” Preparations for the Durban final are progressing well, thanks to coordinated efforts between the school and the Federation of Uganda Football Associations. Mulindwa is confident his team can shine in the continental phase and believes the tournament has opened new opportunities for the players.
Omar Ben Al Khattab School in Rabat, Morocco, is among the favourites for the CAF African Schools Football Championship finals, thanks to a number of students with senior international experience in the Morocco under‑17 side. Eight players from the school represented Morocco at the FIFA Women’s Under‑17 World Cup in India last year, facing powerhouses such as the United States and Brazil. Although those players are now overage for the school championship, their presence highlights the calibre of talent being developed at the school, and the younger cohorts have also been successful. Omar Ben Al Khattab won all four of its UNAF zonal qualifier matches, securing a perfect record and a place in the continental finals. Sara Dofry earned the Best Player award, while Ahlam Boukhorb was named Best Goalkeeper. The team is coached by Younès Rabii, a CAF B License holder who also leads the Morocco under‑17 side. “Qualification was not easy; we faced strong teams from Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya,” Rabii said. “The organisation was good and the technical level high.” Preparations for Durban have progressed well, especially after the school’s recent participation in the Moroccan national schools championship. Several players also featured for Morocco in the African Schools Cup pilot event in Kinshasa last February, where Morocco won the title by beating South Africa in the final. “Our players are eager to compete in Durban, to build relationships with their African peers and experience other cultures,” Rabii added.
Ecole Hédi Ayadi in Sfax, Tunisia, boasts a rich history and shone at the UNAF zonal qualifiers, entering the continental stage with high expectations. The school’s typical Tunisian structure and organisation, combined with players who possess real flair, made them a team to beat. In the boys’ competition, they amassed a full 12 points, defeating rivals from Morocco, Libya, Egypt and Algeria, including an away victory in Egypt. Their opening match ended 10‑0, setting the tone, followed by a 5‑0 win over host Ecole Sewada. A decisive victory against Libya’s Ecole Alkaleel secured the perfect record and the title. Their potent attack and solid defence suggest they will be difficult to break down in Durban.
These profiles highlight the leading teams from the CECAFA and UNAF zones as they prepare for the CAF African Schools Football Championship finals in Durban.
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